TOKYO, -- Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) launched its second Izumo-class Helicopter Destroyer. The vessel was officially name "Kaga" (hull number DDH-184) during the ceremony at the JMU Japan Marine United Corporation shipyard in Yokohama Isogo.

Kaga was an aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the third to enter service, named after the former Kaga Province in present-day Ishikawa Prefecture.

First of class DDH138 Izumo was commissioned on 25 March 2015 in Yokosuka naval base. Izumo is the flagship of the JMSDF fleet and is the largest warship built by Japan since World War II. The 248-meter-long and 19,500-ton helicopter carrier was unveiled for the first time in August 2013 in Yokohama.

According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the helicopter carrier is expected to play a key role both in defense of territorial sovereignty, in rescue missions, and in case of natural disasters.

DDH-184 "Kaga", the second Izumo class Helicopter Destroyer during the namming and launching ceremony on August 27 2015.